News

Sound Rivers and Blounts Creek community members are back to the courts to defend a recent legal win. In late December, a state court vacated a state permit that would have allowed a proposed Martin Marietta Materials limestone mine to discharge millions of gallons of wastewater a day into Blounts Creek, a popular fishing creek in eastern North Carolina.

On January 19th, Martin Marietta Materials appealed the Superior Court decision to the NC Court of Appeals.  In addition, the company has filed a motion to stay Judge Willey’s decision until the Appeals court hearing, which could take more than a year to schedule. A hearing on the company’s motion to stay the Superior Court decision will be held this Friday, February 16 at the Pender County Courthouse and Burgaw.

The Department of Environmental Quality, who issued the now vacated permit, has also appealed the decision. Executive Director, Heather Deck said, “We’re disappointed that DEQ and Martin Marietta have decided to appeal. Blounts Creek is a special place and we’ll continue working to protect it.”